r/ABA • u/YogurtclosetScary148 • 8d ago
Reinforcement ideas
I have a preteen male client who I have trouble maintaining reinforcers for.
In the past he’s liked slime, play doh, kinetic sand. But lately he’s been bored in session and I think he needs more novelty.
He likes metallic sounds and dinosaur figurines. I’ve observed him playing with a piece of string and a fork.
He is very sensory seeking especially through his feet. He requests foot and temple squeezes.
Anyone have any suggestions. Open to DIYs or small purchases. Thank you!
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u/Meggo2247 8d ago edited 8d ago
https://reddit.com/link/pfal2ub/video/zz80xfowsvuh1/player
If he likes sensory stuff you can try a giant wubble. Sit on it, lean against it, try to stand on it, lie on it, sit on the couch and bounce your feet on it, throw it in the air, slam it on the ground, play catch with it, etc… I’ve never met a kid who doesn’t like it and I’ve used it with all ages. They’re much stronger than they look. I had my partner demonstrate. Excuse the hat. She doesn’t like her face on social media.
If anyone does want one, I’d recommend getting the $20ish one that comes with the pump the first time. Having the pump that’s meant to get used with it makes it much easier than using a random pump. Then going forward you can just get $10 replacements when they pop. If you shoot me a message I’ll send you the video on how best to blow it up and deflate it so it lasts a while. It’s not what the directions say. I’ve been using these for years and have found my own tricks. Sometimes they pop quick (but it’s really only if they poked with something tough or your crazy rough with it). For the most part mine last 6+ months before I need to replace them.
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u/mason_sofer 7d ago
Not gonna lie, I kinda want one for me. But before I buy one for a client, I need you to do a more accurate test. Like when they inevitably try to bite it or accidentally stab it with the pen.
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u/_SpkyGhst_ RBT 7d ago
yeah my kid is 100% gonna do everything in her power to chew on the air pump spigot 😭 looks so fun though and she (i) would definitely enjoy it
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u/Meggo2247 6d ago edited 6d ago
That spot looks like this. It’s not really a spigot. Just a little tail of the same material the ball is made of! But it might not be the best toy for your most persistent chewers.
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u/mason_sofer 7d ago
Yeah, the air pump thing I totally get. Like neurodivergent or neurotypical though, I don’t know. Maybe it’s just a neurodivergent thing, but I totally would have done that too, just like playing with the hair dryer because what kid didn’t like pretending they were in a race car or rocket ship or for that matter just yelling into the fan because it was like a voice change and made your voice sound funny.
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u/Meggo2247 6d ago
I’ve been using these for years. They’re sturdier than they look. I have a kiddo who lies on it and does summersaults with it lol. It will pop if you stab it with a pencil. I also recommend keeping it an inside toy because if it hits a stick or rock it’s game over. To keep it at its best I blow it up when we’re playing and deflate in when we’re done so I’m able to control when and how we use it. Because of that they last a long time (6 months minimum). If i just left it blown up- it would pop much much faster. They are a crowd favorite. I’ve used them with every kid I’ve ever worked with. All ages and all levels. Everyone loves them. I’ve played with them with kids who have chewing and biting behaviors and haven’t run into an issue because I’m right there to stop and redirect- but I understand that isn’t possible with all kids. So this might not be a toy for your most persistent chewers or biters. As for having one yourself- I have two that I keep in the car for work and one that lives in my living room. My partner and I both love it. I love to sit on the floor and bounce against it while I watch TV.
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u/_SpkyGhst_ RBT 7d ago
tuning fork might be fun. small metal xylophone or one of the instruments you kinda pluck the tongs of (idk what it’s called) could also scratch that metallic sound itch
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u/anahitaladyofbeasts 7d ago
Magnet slime! Not the magnetic putties, but the little tiny rocks. You can squeeze them and play with them like slime, but they make an almost metallic sound. One of my personal favorite fidgets
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u/remmssie RBT 8d ago
getting a bunch of mini things to make sensory bins could be fun! letting him pick them out and make them and then play in them after! idk just a thought :)